Depressive symptoms and self-reported occupational injury in small and medium-sized companies.
OBJECTIVE
This survey was designed to determine whether depressive symptoms had an effect on the risk of self-reported occupational injury in South Korea.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective follow-up survey of workers at 44 small- to medium-sized companies classified into manufacturing or service businesses; 1,350 questionnaires were used in the final analysis. The first survey requested information regarding personal characteristics, work characteristics, and depressive symptoms (CES-D); the second survey queried participants in the first survey about self-reported occupational injuries (including minor scratches or cuts) experienced in the previous 4 months. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated through Poisson regression analysis. The number of occupational injuries during the previous 4 months served as the dependent variable, and depressive symptoms served as the independent variable.


RESULTS
After adjustment for demographic factors, the RRs were 1.75 (95% CI: 1.41-2.18) and 2.68 (95% CI: 1.98-3.64) in male and female, respectively. Additional adjustment for work-related variables did not alter the RR considerably in females (2.65; 95% CI: 1.95-3.59). Among the male workers, however, the RR was not significant (1.21; 95% CI: 0.95-1.55). On the other hand, when the analysis was limited to blue-collar workers, after adjustment for demographic and work-related factors, the RRs remained significant in both genders (male: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.03-1.74; female: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.41-2.95).


CONCLUSIONS
We found that the risk of self-reported occupational injury experience was higher in workers who reported depressive symptoms. Additional study using objective data is required to confirm our results.
Kim
Hwan-Cheol
HC
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Inha University, Jung-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
Park
Shin-Goo
SG
Min
Kyoung-Bok
KB
Yoon
Ki-Jung
KJ
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology